Proverbs 10:29-30 29. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

[A] The way of the Lord (the way he walks towards us) [1] He gives strength to the believer and confirms his faith. [2] God's dealings are merciful and encouraging to the believer [a] He prepares us for our duty [b] He keep us from being discouraged.

[B] The way of the Lord (the way he appoints for us to walk) [1] Again he gives us strength for whatever we will face [2] The closer we walk to God, [a] The more our hearts are made ready for our walk and the more we want to his will. [b] The Closer we come to God more fit we are for his services and for suffering for him [1-a] When one has a pure conscience, kept pure from sin, they receive boldness in dangerous times [2-a] When won is diligent towards God their work becomes easier. [3] The more we do for God the more he allows us to do for him. [a] Working for God is never to be considered a burden, [b] Working for God is a privilege [4] The closer we are to God, the stronger we are

[C] Ruin and destruction are what the wicked can expect [1] The Righteous shall inherit the earth [2] Although the wicked lay up treasure here on the earth, the earth shall not be there’s [a] God's judgments will root them out. [b] They shall receive their just rewards

Proverbs 10: 31-32 31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.a 32. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

[A] Matthew 12:37 37. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. [1] Men are judged of, and accordingly, are justified or condemned, by their words [a] Jesus taught that what we believe and what we are can be judged by what proceeds of out mouth.

[B] The proof that a man is wise if he speaks wise and well [1] A good man brings forth wisdom for the benefit of others with his words [2] God gives the wise man wisdom as a reward of his righteousness [a] In gratitude for the gift God gave him, he does good with it [b] In his wisdom and wise speech he edifies others [c] He knows what is acceptable and what discourses are pleasing to God

[C] It is a sin, and will be the ruin of the wicked man who speaks wickedly like he himself is. [1] The mouth of the wicked speaks things that are displeasing to God [2] His words do not edify those he speaks too. Psalms 12:3 3. The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Proverbs 11:1 1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

[A] God is deeply offended by someone who cheats or lies [1] The false balance here is used for any unjust or fraudulent practices while dealing with Others. [2] All unjust dealings are an abomination to God [a] Those who practice unjust dealings are abominable to him as well. [3] Second only to the greatest commandment, of loving God with all your heart, is loving your neighbor as yourself. [a] If one loves their neighbor, they will not cheat them [b] If one loves their neighbor, they will treat them as they would want to be treated, which includes telling them the truth, and not cheating them in any business practice.

[B] God is pleased with fair and honest dealing [1] When one is honest and upright, it makes our devotions acceptable to him: [a] A just weight is his delight. [2] God, himself goes by a just weight, and holds the scale of judgment with an every hand, [a] Therefore, He is pleased with those who are fair in their dealing with others, for it shows they are followers of Him, or at least that they have a fear of him.

Proverbs 11:2 2. When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

[A] When pride comes then comes shame. [1] Pride is a sin even the one who is proud has reason to be ashamed of [a] Pride is based on one‘s self [b] Pride cares for no-one but the one possessing it [c] Pride takes God out of the picture completely [d] Pride takes ones neighbors, family and friends and cast them aside [2] Pride is a sin which causes others to look upon the sinner with contempt [3] It is a sin for which God often brings men down, and causes them to see that they are nothing. [a] He may take away that of which the person is proud [b] He may strike the person down, until they have only one place to look, and that is up. [1-a] Can you think of some biblical instances when God brought down the proud? [a-1] Nebuchadnazer [b-1] Herod [2-a] Can you think of other instanced when God brought down the proud? [a-1] The Titantic

[B] He that humbles himself is exalted [1] With the proud there is folly, and there will be shame [2] With the lowly there is wisdom, and he will be honored [a] A man's wisdom gains him respect [b] His wisdom makes his face shine before men

Proverbs 11:3 3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

[A] The integrity of the upright shall guide them [1] The integrity of an honest man will itself be a guide in the way of duty and the way of safety. [2] His principles are fixed, his rule is certain, and therefore his way is plain [a] His sincerity keeps him steady [b] He doesn’t change his mind every time the wind changes [c] He has no other end in mind than to keep a good conscience and do the will of god.

[B] The iniquity of a bad man will be his ruin [1] The plainness of a good man will be his protection [2] The perverseness of a sinner will be his destruction [a] They shall fall into pits of their own digging [b] Behold your sins will find you out

Proverbs 11:44. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

[A] The day of death will be a day of wrath for the wicked. [1] It is a debt owing, not to nature, but to God's justice [2] After death comes the judgment, and that is a day of wrath [3] All the riches in the world will not get a man into heaven - They may hinder his going, but will not help him enter.

[B] It is righteousness that will deliver man from the evils of death. [a] A good conscience and a relationship with Christ will make death easy [b] A right relationship with God will take the terror away [1-a] It is the privilege of the righteous not to be hurt by the second death [2-a] It is also the privilege of the righteous not to by hurt as hurt by the first

Proverbs 11:5-6 5. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

[A] These two verses are, in effect, the same in interpertation

[B] The ways of Christian religion are plain and safe [1] In our faith we enjoy holy security

[C] A living principle of honesty and grace will be [1] Our best direction in the right way, and in every doubtful instance say to us, This is the way, walk in it. [2] Our best deliverance from every false way: [a] The righteousness of the upright shall be armour of proof to them, to deliver them from the allurements of the devil and the world, and from their menaces.

[D] The ways of wickedness are dangerous and destructive: [1] The wicked shall fall into misery and ruin by their own wickedness, [2] They shall be taken in their own naughtiness as in a snare.

Proverbs 11:7 7. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

[A] The wicked man lays up treasure here on this earth [1] He feels confident that he will be well taken care of [2] He feels he will have it made forever

[B] When the wicked man perishes, what does he have? Nothing [1] All he hoped for is lost [2] All he could have had is gone [3] He is faced with pain and suffering for all eternity

[C] In life he had much hope, in death he has none.

Proverbs 11:8 8 . The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

[A] When the wicked die, it is the beginning of sorrow for them [1] They are cast into outer darkness into hell where there is an unquenchable fire [2] They will face untold suffering and despair.

[B] When the righteous die, it is the beginning of happiness for them [1] The righteous are delivered out of their trouble [2] They enter into a place of rest and joy

Proverbs 11:9 9. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

[A] It is not only the murderer with his sword, but also the hypocrite with his mouth, that destroys his neighbor, getting him to sin, or into mischief, by the pretences of kindness and good-will. [1] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, but no tongue more fatal than the flattering tongue.

[B] Honesty helps to escape the snare [1] Through the knowledge of how Satan works the just are delivered from the snares the hypocrite lays out for him [a] Seducers shall not deceive the elect. [2] By the knowledge of God, and the scriptures, and their own hearts, the just be delivered from those who lie in wait to deceive, and destroy [a] This is why bible study, and learning God’s will for us is so important. [b] If we do not know, we can be easily deceived

What is the lesson we should learn from these passages?What should we do in order to keep from being deceived?What might happen if we do not read, study and learn God’s instructions for us?What is the difference between a wicked man and a righteous man?What is the difference when they die?